Do You Have a Microwave?

June 29, 2010

In Aspen, at a special lunch, Michael Voltaggio named the microwave as "the most underused technology in cooking today." He used the microwave to make a delectable sponge cake and told us how easy it was to re-create at home. I was disappointed because I do not have a microwave. Although my kitchen is modern, there simply isn't a microwave. How about you?

Source: Thinkstock

21 Comments

Spectra 2 years 47 weeks

I have one and I can't imagine NOT having it. I don't use it to actually cook things, but I do use it to reheat leftovers and to pop popcorn. And no, I don't buy microwave popcorn; I put popcorn in a paper bag and stick it in the microwave. Works great! I know people who bake cakes and stuff in them, but I don't think I'd do that...the texture would probably be weird.

Spectra 2 years 47 weeks

amber512 2 years 47 weeks

How do people get by without them? Oh the convenience.

danakscully64 2 years 47 weeks

I went a month without one when we moved here (end of May). When you're used to having one to heat up water for tea, thaw, or reheat leftovers, it's a pain to go without. I got used to it, but still missed it, so we went out and bought one last week.

2 years 47 weeks

I don't have one and not planning on ever getting one. They make food taste weird and almost artificial and I honestly prefer having more counter space and/or storage. I don't know about chemical change but they say that microwaves alter the nutritional value/properties of foods and liquids.

PiNkY PiNk 2 years 47 weeks

we've always had microwaves. I thought everyone just had one cuz they're so cheap now.

pink pirate 2 years 47 weeks

From a green perspective, using an oven or stovetop to reheat food uses much more energy than a microwave does, especially if you have an older oven that takes a lot of time to preheat. Also not sure what chemical changespeople are talking about. Microwave ovens only heat water molecules, so it does not create a "chemical" change in food. The only health concerns are leaching plastic, which just means use a plate instead of a plastic container. Whatever low levels of radiation can easily be avoided by not standing near the microwave while using it - and this only applies for very old microwaves as modern ones have a shield to block this.

pink pirate 2 years 47 weeks

CoconutPie 2 years 47 weeks

No, and I don't want one. I don't like the way it reheats foods and I'm kind of scared of the negative effects it might have on health & foods.

POPSUGAR Pets 2 years 47 weeks

My first apt out of college had one built-in but, other than that (and my parents' house), I've never had one!

AlexisSF 2 years 47 weeks

i have one and never use it — it grosses me out for some reason. i'd rather re-heat on the stove or in the oven.

mstrauss 2 years 47 weeks

I LOVE for my microwave! I do alot of cooking using the oven, but there are certain items that either come out better or are quicker just by microwaving them, like baked potatoes and popcorn :)

noxcatt 2 years 47 weeks

i agree with those who dont have one. i have such a small kitchen so i cant have one. i dont miss it. its not like everything cant be heated up on a stove/oven. plus its nice when reheating soup, its hot ALL the way through!

dclsweetspot 2 years 47 weeks

I can't imagine living without one. I make a large pot of soup and heat it in a mug when needed. I use it to cook lean cuisines or homemade vaccuum sealed meals for convient foods when there is no time to cook. It's so nice to not have to clean a pot and have your food cook so fast. Our broke and we needed to wait til the weekend for my husband to install a new one so I ran out and bought a little one to use in the meantime. I was lost without one.

kuura 2 years 47 weeks

I belong to the minority! I now live with my parents and we've never had one. Last year I lived on my own and my appartement had a microwave. Though I'm used to not having one I admit that it's useful... After summer I'll move again and I hope I'll have one. It is more ecological after all.

Soniabonya 2 years 47 weeks

I do own a microwave but it's hardly ever used nowadays. I don't like the rubbery taste of food when it's reheated in the microwave and I don't trust the chemical changes to the food. But then again, we hardly have any leftovers at our place now :)

beram1220 2 years 47 weeks

I don't have a microwave and honestly I don't miss it. I have always been a little freaked out by microwaves and when I moved, we never bought a new one. I use the toaster oven to heat up leftovers or anything else. To me, microwaves make food taste rubbery and I would end up reheating things in my toaster oven anyway. I can't say I won't get one in the future though - especially when I have kids and when time is of the essence :)